Spike machine



May 4,1926. A 1,582,895

L. J. BERKELEY srnm ucxmm Filed Sept 3. 1922 v Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORLAURENCE a. BERKEL Y ATTORNEY May 4 1926. 1,582,895

L. J. BERKELEY SPIKE MACHINE Filed Sept. 8, 1922 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR LAUREIFIGEJBERKELEY BY agar ATTORNEY 1,582,895 L. J. BERKELEYsrnm momma .Iil p s. 22 'r Sheets-Shet 5 E .W 1 S May 4 1926.

INVENTOR LAURENCE J.BER KELEY BY ATTORNEY May 4 1926.

- 1,582,895 L. J. BERKELEY I) SPIKE ucruus Filed Sept. 8, 1922 7Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR LAURENCE J. BERKELEY ATTORNEY May 4 1926 Y1,582,895

L. J. BERKELEY SPIKBMACHINE Filed Sept. 8, 1922 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6INVENTOR LAURENCE \JBERKELEY ATTORNEY a, 1922 '1 Shegts-Sheit 7 FiledSept.

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INVENTOR LAURENCE J. BERKELEY ATTORNEY Patented May 4, 1926.

U ms s'rAT s PATENT 5 OFFICE},

LAURENCE J. BERKELEY, or YOUNGSTOWN, omo.

SPIKE MACHINE.

Application filed SC itemberS, 1922. Serial No. 587,008.

To (534 whom it may concern:

Be it known that L-LAURENGE J. Bum-1n- LEY, a citizen of the 'UnitedStates, residing at Youngstown, in the county of ll lahoning and Stateof Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Spike Machines, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines formal:- ing spikes, bolts, andsimilar articles, and more particularly to an automatic'machine in whichthe stock is fed, cut, pointed, and headed by machine.

One object of my invention is to provide a machine of the abovecharacter in which various operations are effected by mechanismsoperated .by fluid under pressure, so as to avoid the use of cams andcumbersome op-.

erating parts.

'Another object of my invention is to provide a spike machine in whichvarious operations are controlled electrically through the opera-tionofa switch mechanism operatively associated with themachine.

Another object of my invention is to pro vide means for stabilizingthe-action of and thereby preventing any overrunning move ment of thespike nipper carriage.

Another object of my invention is to provide a generally improved andsimplified machine for the automatic production of spikes, bolts, andthe like.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following more detaileddescription of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings; Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a spikemaking machine embodying my invention; Fig. 2 a plan view of themachine, omitting certain parts and showing more particularly the nippermechanism; Fig. 3 a central vertical section of the construction shownin Fig. 2; Fig. f a section on the line i4 of Fig. 3-; Fig. 5 a planview of the machine, omitting certain parts and showing moreparticularly the spike heading mechanism; Fig. 6 a partial section onthe line 6-6 of Fig. 5; Fig. '7 a front elevation of the toggle leverand gripe mechanism; Fig. 8 a section on the line S8 of Fig. of Fig. ofthe vertical section of the nipper operating cylinders; Fig. 12 a detailface elevation of the adjustable crank arm of the nipper mecha- 7; Fig.a central vertical section the automatic operation of the i Fig. 9 asection on the line 99 stabilizer mechanism; Figz ll a nism; Fig. 13 aside elevation of theadjust able crank arm; Fig. 14 a sectionon the line14 of Fig. 12; Fig. 15'a'vertical sectional view of a portion of thespike machine, showing more particularly the gripe mechanism and theblank holding die clamping means;fFig. 16 a detail plan view, showingthe lateral die for clamping the spike blank laterally; Fig. 17 asideelevation of the parts shown in Fig. 16; Fig.18 a' detail view Sl10\'ing means for clamping the blank holding die in place; Fig. 19 a Viewshowing the so-called hand machinev spike head; Fig. 20 a view showingthe so-called automatic machine spike head; Fig-21 a detail side view,partly in section, of the mechanism for guiding the spike blank;Fig.22'an end elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 21; Fig. 23 a face viewof the electric switch contact controlling device, including a diagramillustrating the various circuits controlled thereby; Fig. 24 a verticalsection of the switch device shown in Fig. 23; Fig. 25. a diagramshowing the relation of the switch drum contacts; and Fig.26 a diagrannatic view of one of the magnet controller valve device s.

The machinemay comprise a main frame 1 having housings 2 at one end inwhich are mounted bearings for parallel horizontal shafts .8carryingfeed rolls 4 forfeedingthe stock from which the spike blanks arecut.

The feed rolls are provided with knives 5 with a gear 8 secured to ashaft 9. The op- Y posite end of the shaft 9 carries a ratchet wheel 10'which is engaged by a pawl 11 mounted on a rocker arm 12, as shown moreparticularly in Fig. 6, so that when the arm 12 is rocked, the pawl 11partially'rotates the ratchet wheel 10 and thus causes .an intermittentrotatlve movement of the feed rolls 4.

the opposite ends of the main shaft are ec.

centrics 14c for operating corresponding connecting rods 15.Each'connectmg rod is 131v otally connected to a rocker arm 16 and oneof the rocker arms is provided with an arm 17 which is operativelyconnected to the rocker arm 12 by means of aconnecting rod 18 having aright and left hand nut 19 by which the length of the rod may bea'djusted.

Mounted in suitable" guides in the frame to reciprocate horizontally isa nipper carriage 20 (see Figs.- 2 and and operatively connected to saidcarriage is a connecting rod 23, one end of which is pivotally connectedto a lever arm 21 carried by a shaft 22 having hearings in the mainframe 1. Secured to one end of the shaft 22 is an adjustable crank arm(hereinafter described more in detail) the yoke portion 118 of which ispivotally connected to a connecting rod The other end of the connectingrod 24 is pivotaliy co-nnected'to an arm 25 which is carried by therocker arm 16 opposite to that rocker arm 16 carrying the arm 17. Theconnection of the rod 23 to the nipper carriage is through pin 23mounted in bearings in lugs 27 carried by the nipper carriage. On thepin is mounted a block 28 which is adapted to operate in a slot in theend of the connecting rod, so that there willv be acertain amount oflost motion a in the operation of the carriage in order to provide apause in the movement of the carriage at opposite ends of its travel forpur poses to be hereinafter described.

Pivotally mounted onpins 29 secured to the nipper carriage-are nippers30 by which the blank is carried forward from the feed rolls to theheading position. The nippers have nipper jaws 31 keyed to one end ofthe nippers and pivotally connected to the other end of each nipper is apiston 32 mounted in a common cylinder 33 which is carried by thenippercarriage 20. In order to compel equal and uniform movement of bothnippers, each piston carries a rack bar 34, both rack bars meshing witha common pinion 35, so that movement of one piston compels acorresponding movement of the other piston.

The gripping movement of the nippers 30 is effected by supplying fluidunder pressure through a port 36 to a chamber intermediate the pistons32 and the release movement is effected by means of leaf springs 37,each secured to a lug 38 associated with each hub of the nipper carriageon which each nipper 80 is n-iounted, as shown in Fig. 3. The free endof each spring may be flexed by means of a cam member 39 mounted on andcarried by each nipper 30. When it is desired to open the iiippers so asto change dies, the cam members 39 may be rotated by applying a wrenchto the squared portion 39, so as.

to throw the cam out of engagement with the sp ing, thus relieving thenippers of the pressure of the springs.

The spike heading meclu'inisni may coinprise, as shown more particularlyin Figs. 5 and 6, a slide frame 10 which is pivotally supported at oneend on pins ell secured in the gripe and toggle housing 42. The oppositeend of the frame 40 is supported by two elevator rods 43 having screwthreaded connection with a double nut member id which has trunnionbearings in the slide fi'an'ie at).

The rods 43 are mounted in a yoke and are provided with bevel gears 46adapted to mesh with bevel gears l? secured to a transverse operatingshaft- 18, which shaft also serves as a bearing support for the yoke t5,the shaftbeing mounted in hearings in the main frame 1. The end of theshaft 48 is squared as at at!) for receiving a handle or ratchet wrenchby which the shaft 18 may be rotated and thereby the rods 43 through thebevel gear connections, so as to raise or lower the slide frame 40.

Slidably mounted in the slide frame 40 is a header carriage 50 which isoperatively connected to the rocker arm 16 by means of connecting rodsWithin the carriage '50 is mounted a header die for heading the spike,the die being adjust-ably held in position by means of set screws 53 and5%.

The header die 52 is positioned to engage the end of the spike blankafter the blank has been deposited in the receiving channel of the dieblock 56.

The spike blank is held in position for heading by means of a gripe andtoggle mechanism comprising, as shown more par ticularly in Figs. 7 and8, a vertically arranged housing 42 mounted on the main frame 1 andhaving slidably mounted therein a gripe die ram 57. The rain 51 issecured to a guide rod 58 which is guided in a bearing 59 in the housingand is connected to a member 60 having slide bearings in the housing.Pivotally connected to the member 60 is a toggle armhl. and pivotallyconnected to the arm 61 is the other toggle arm 62. T he toggle arm 61is provided with :1 lug 63 adapted to engage a portion of the arm 62 r owhen the toggle arms are moved to the closed position, which may beeither on or slightly beyond the vertical alming position the arms, sothat when pressure is applied to the toggle mechanism the engagement ofthe lug with the toggle arm (32 will hold the parts in position andprevent the arms from doubling up. The lug (33 may also be provided withlaterally projecting portions l'il adapted to engage corresponding lugs172 carried by the ineniiber (32 when the toggle joint has been moved tothe cesired open position, so as to limit the operating more ment of thetoggle joint.

The toggle arm 62 is pivotally connected to a member 64] having slidebearings in the housing 42 and the meml'zer 64 secured to a piston rod65 working in a bearing 66 in the housing 42, thepiston rod 65 beingconnected to a piston 89'mounted in a cylinder (5'? which is secured tothe/housing 4:2. The

piston 89 is subject on one side to the pressure ot' a coil spring 90and is operated by fluid under pressure supplied to the opposite sidethrough a port 68. The admission and release of fluid under pressure toand from piston 66 is controlled by a magnet by the toggle arm 62 andsaid stem is proi vided with suitable packing rings 7-l to preventleakage or fluid pressure past the stem. The opposite side of the pistonis-also provided with. a stem having packing rings 76 to prevent leakagefrom the piston chamberSO at the corresponding side of the piston. Amagnet valve cevice 77 controls the admission and release of fluid underpressure to the piston chamber 78 atone,

sideof the piston 7 O for operating the pis ton to eiiect the opening orthe toggle joint and a magnet valve device 79 controls the admission andrelease of fluid under pressure to the piston chamber 80 atthe oppositeside of the piston for operating the piston to effect the closing of thetoggle joint.

Secured in the ram 57 is a gripe member with tapered sidesto facilitatethe dropping 01 the spike blank into the die channel by the nippers andconsequently the blank is held only by the vertically acting gripe whilethe blank is being headed. This lateral tapered clearance in the dieblock causes the production of a heavy and sometimes undesirable filletunder the head of the spike, as the material of the blank is upset inheading operation, sucha head being known as the automatic head, and asshown in Fig. 20. In hand spike making machines, box dies may beused-which close all around the blank so that the head of the spike maybe formed without the undesirable fillet above referred to, as shown inFig. 19. lVith my machine a hand machine head may be madewhen desiredand this is accomplished by providing a lateral gripping die in additionto the vertical gripe. v

For this purpose, the die 56 is cut away at one side at the header endas shown in 16 and the channel 55 at opposite side is shaped to conformto the contour of the i spike blank. and the desired shape of the innerportion of the head, the rear portion of the channel 55 being lefttapered as in the ordinary die. to permit the blanks to be dropped intothe channel by the nippers.

A side die 82 operatesin the space provided by cutting out the die56"and said.

die is shaped to conform to the'contour of the spike blank and thedesired shape or the inner portion of the head. The die 82 is ope-ratedby a lever 83 supported by a iulcrum pin '84 and having its lower endoperatively connected to a piston rod 85. The piston rod 85 is connectedto a piston 86 operating in a cylinder 87 secured to the housing 42shown in Fig. 15. The cylin dcr 87 is connected by a port 88 to a pipe149 through which fluid under pressure may be supplied to the cylinderand preferably at the sametime that fluid is supplied to the gripecylinder 67, so that the side die o'perates to gripe the blanksimultaneously with the'operation of the vertical gripe 81, thusholdingithe blank on all four sides.

\Vhen the usual solid 'die 56 is employed and the side die clampingfeature is dispensed with,the lever 83 may be employed to clamp the die56 in place. In this case, hand operated three way cock 148 is placed inthe pipe 149 which is then connected to a source or fluid pressuresupply. 7

When the die 56 has been positionedin'the machine, the cock 148 isturned to its position for admitting fluid under pressure to the piston86 and the piston then acts on the lever 83 to clamp the die 56 inposition. Fluid pressure is maintained on the piston 86 while themachine is running, but it it is desired to change dies, the cock 148isturned er 151 as shown in Fig. 1 8. I

The lost motion a which permits a relative movement of the connectingrod 33 with respect to the nipper carriage'QO for a purpose to behereinafter described may cause an overrunning of the carriage due tomomentum, and if not restrained, would tend to prevent thecorrectpositioning of the nippers in the act of gripping the spike blankand in the act of dropping the blank into the receiving die.

In order to prevent this, I provide means for resisting the movement ofthecarriage which has its maximum effectiveness at the end of the travelof the carriage where the direction of motion of the connecting rod isreversed. I have termed this means a "stab hze1" and as shownmore"particularly 111 F 1g. 10 of the drawings, the stabilizer '56""andwhich extends through the die hold may comprise a cylinder 91 secured tothe main frame 1 and containing a piston 92 operatively connected by apiston rod 93 with the nipper carriage 20. The piston chamber 9 1 at oneside of piston 92 is provided with an inlet port 95 through which aliquid, such as water, is supplied to the piston from a supply pipe 96past a non-return check valve 97.

The piston chamber 98 is provided with a similar inlet port 99 throughwhich liquid is supplied from the pipe 96 past a check valve 100.

An exhaust valve 101 controls the out flow of liquid from piston chamber9 1 through port 102 and an exhaust valve 103 controls the outflow ofliquid from piston chan'iber 98 through port 104;. The valve 101 issubject to the pressure of a coil spring 1.05, the compression of whichmay be varied by the movement of a stem rod 106 and the valve 103 issubject to the pressure of a spring 107, the compression of which may bevaried by the movement of a stem 108. 1'1 hell crank 109 has the end ofone arm engaging the end of stem with the other arm pivotally connectedto a link 110 and a hell crank 111 has the end of one arm engaging theend of stem 108 with the other arm also connected to link 110.

The link 110 is pivotally connected to a link 112 which is pivotallyconnected to one end of a fulcrumed lever 113, the other end of thelever 113 being connected, through a link 11% to a member 115 which issecured to a stem 116 carried by the piston 92.

In the operation of the above described stabilizing device, liquid underpressure being supplied from suitable source to pipe 96, flows past thecheck valves 97 and 100 to the respective piston chambers 94 and 98.lVhen the nipper carriage 20 moves to the left, the liquid in pistonchamber 941 is forced out through passage 102 and past the check valve101 to an exhaust chamber 117, and thereby offers a resistance to themovement o the piston 92 and, the nipper carriage 20. Initially thisresistance is very slight, but as the carriage 20 moves to the left, thestem 116 operates the lever 113 so as to rock the arm 109 in a directionto compress the spring 105 through the movement of the stem 106. It willthus be seen that the fiow of liquid from piston chamber 91' isincreasingly opposed as the nipper carriagc approaches the end of itstravel to the left and consequently any tendency 01 the nipper carriageto overrun, due to the lost motion a is prevented and the carriage isfirmly maintained in its desired operat ing position. At the end of thetravel to the left, after the lost motion a has been taken up in thereverse movement to the right, the movement of the stern 116 operatesthe lever 113 to cause the arm 11].

to compress the spring 107 at the same time moving the arm 109 torelieve the compres- )ZlSt the check valve 103 is thus graduallyincreased until at the end of the travel to the right, the maximumresistance is attained. By means of the above construction, the nippercarriage is prevented from moving independently of the operatingconnection as might be occasioned either by mon'ientuln or otherwise.

In order to regulate the traverse of the nipper carriage, as may berequired for different length spikes or bolts, an adjustable crank armis interposed in the operating mechanism, as shown in detail in Figs.12, 13, and 1 1-, and said crank arm may com prise a yoke 118 and acrosshead 119 slidably mounted in said yoke and having a bearing on theshaft 22. The yoke 118 is provided with a lug 120 having a threadedopening for receiving an adjusting screw 121. The screw 121 extendsthrough an opening in the shaft 22 and is provided with collars adaptedto engage flat faces provided on opposite sides of the shaft. The end ofthe screw 121 is provided with a hand wheel 123 and when it is desiredto adjust the throw of the yoke 118 and thereby the travel of the nippercarriage, the hand wheel 123 is operated to turn the screw 121, in onedirection for lengthening the crank arm, and in the opposite directionfor shortening the crank arm. With the crank arm shortened, the movementof the yoke 118 by the connecting rod 24 will cause an increased travelof the nipper carriage 20 and by lengthening the crank arm, the travelof the carriage is reduced, as will be evident.

In order to adjust the position of the nipper carriage with respect tothe spike blank at the end of its travel, a right and left handadjusting nut 121 may be interposed in the connecting rod- 2%.

A magnet controlled valve mechanism is preferably employed forcontrolling the admission and release of fluid under pressure to each ofthe various operating cylinders of the machine and since the same magnetcontrolled valve mechanism may be employed in each instance, adescription of one will apply to all.

The magnet controlled valve mechanism may comprise, as showndiagrammatically in Fig. 20, a magnet 125 for operating a double beatpilot valve 126 and a relay valve construction comprising a piston 12'?contained in a casing 128, an exhaust valve 129, and a supply valve 130adapted to be operated by piston 127.

When magnet 125 is deenergized, the double beat pilot valve 126is inaposition in which fluid is vented from piston 127, per

shaft 13.

initting spring 131 to hold the valve 130 closed and the exhaust valve129 open, so that pipe which is connected to the corresponding operatingcylinder is vented to the atmosphere. When the magnet 125 is energized,the double beat pilot valve is moved to a position in which fluid underpressure is supplied from a fluid pressure supply pipe 133 to piston 127so that the piston is operated by fluid under pressure to close theexhaust valve 129 and open the supply valve 130. Fluid under pressure isthen supplied to the corresponding operating cylinder.

in order to control the energization and deenergization of thecontrolling magnets and to effect the desired sequence and timing of theoperations of the machine, a contact switch mechanism is provided whichmay comprise, as's'hown in Figs. 23 and 24, a contact drum 134 securedto one end of the main On the drum 134 are mounted disks 135 ofinsulating material, each carrying a contact segment as follows, asupply ring 136, toggleopen contact segment 137, toggle close segment138, gripe segment 139 and nipper segment 140, each of the segmentsbeing electrically connected to the supply ring contact 136.

Mounted on the shaft 13 adjacent to the contact drum is a disk 141 whichmay be held against rotation by means of a stud 142 secured to the mainframe 1 of the machine. Pivotally mounted on the disk 141 are aplurality of contact carriers 143,each provided with a contact roller144 adapted to engage a corresponding contact segment on the drum.

Secured at the pivot pin 145 of each contact carrier 143 is a flatspring 146 which engages a projecting finger 147 carried by eachcarrier, so as to press the contact roller into engagement with thecorresponding contact segment.

As indicated in the diagram shown in Fig. 25, the nipper contact segmentengages the nipper contact roller through. 180 of each revolution of themain shaft, the toggle open contact through 295, the toggle closecontact through and'the gripe contact segment through 45, the contactsbeing spaced as indicated in the diagram to give the proper and desiredtiming.

Due to possible inaccurate setting of the feed rolls or the blankcutting knives, the blank as fed from the rolls may not main tain thedesired horizontal position, so that the blank may not be in position tobe grasped by the nippers. In order to avoid this, a guiding mechanismis provided, as shown in detail in Figs. 21 and 22, comprising a finger152 which is secured to a shaft 153 transversely mounted in the mainframe 1. The finger 152 is positioned so as to engage the upper side ofthe spike blank as it is fed from the feed rolls and hold the .samedownin horizontal alineinent until the nippers are advanced to grasp theblank. In order to throw the finger 152 out of the way so as not tointerfere with the grasping movement of the nipper jaws, a cylinder 154is provided, which contains a piston 155 having a stem 156. The stem 156is pivotally connected to arm 157 secured to the shaft 153, so that whenfluid under pressure is supplied to piston 155, the piston operatesthrough the arm 157 to rotate the shaft 153 and thereby shift the finger152 upwardly and out of the way of the nipper jaws. The spring166'acting on piston 155 normally maintains the guide finger 152 inposition for engaging. the spike blank.

A magnet controlled valve mechanism 158 controls the admission andrelease of fluid under pressure through pipe 159 to and from piston 155and preferably the magnet of the valve mechanism is connected in thecircuit of the magnet which controls the nippers. Although'fluid underpressure will thus be supplied to the guide controlling cylinder at thesame time that fluid is supplied to the nipper controlling cylinder, theport areas are such that the piston 155 of the guide controllingmechanism will operate to lift the guide finger before the nippers moveto gripe the spike blank.

After the spike blank has been headed, the blank must be removed and forthis purpose a stripping mechanism is provided comprising an ejector bar160, one end of which extends into an opening in the die 56 and theother end of which engages one arm of a bell crank 161 which is mountedin bearings in the main frame 1, as shown in Fig. 1. The other arm ofthe bell crank 161 is pivotally connected to a link 162, the other endof which is pivotally connected to one arm of a bell crank 163. Theother arm of the bell crank 163 is provided with a cam roller 164adapted to engage a cam 165 which is mounted on the main shaft 13. Thecam is so constructed and positioned that at the desired time in therotation of the main shaft, the bell crankmechanism is actuated so as tooperate the ejector bar 160 and cause the spike blank to be thrown outof the holding die. 2

Having described the construction of the machine and to some extent theoperation of certain parts, the operation of the machine as a whole willnow be described.

The stock from which the spikes or bolts 7 are to be made is supplied tothe feed rolls 4 and the rotation of the main shaft 13 causes thepartial rotation of the ratchet wheel 10 by the action of the pawl 11,the eccentrics 14 operating the arms 16 through the connecting rods 15and thereby the arm 17 and the pawl carrying member 12 through theconnecting rod 18. As the feed rolls rotate,

a cooperating pair of knives 5 engage the stock and by their action formthe points on the spike blank and nearly sever the blank from the stock.The spike blank passes under the guide finger152 which ensures that theblank will be guided in position so that it may be gripped by thenippers.

While the spike blank is being fed out, the nipper carriage is movingforward through the movement of the crank arm 25, connecting rod 2 1,yoke 118, arm 21, and the connecting rod 23. At the end of the forwardtravel of the nipper carriage 20 and during the pause in the reversemovement of the carriage occasioned by the lost motion a at the end ofthe connecting rod 23, the drum of elect ic switch contact mechanism hasr tated so to bring the nipper contact segment 1 10 into engagement withthe corresponding nipper contact roller 14%. The magnet of the nippermagnet controlled valve mechanism 180 is then energized, so that thedouble beat pilot valve 126 is operated to supply fluid under pressureto the relay piston 12?. The relay inlet valve 130 is then opened tosupply fluid under pressure to the .nipper operating pis tons 32. Theoutward movement of the pistons 32 causes the nippers to close in thenipper jaws 31 so that the spike blank X is gripped. At the same time,the magnet of the valve mechanism 158 which controls the fluid pressureon the guide piston 155 is energized, being in circuit with the nippermagnet, so that fluid under pressure is supplied to the guidepiston 155.

The piston 155 moves more quickly than the nipper pistons 32, ashereinbefore described, so that the guide finger 152 is thrown out ofthe way before the nipper jaws engage the spike blank.

The spike blank is now carried rearward- 1y until the blank ispositioned above the receiving channel 55 in the die 56. At thisposition, the nipper carriage is at the end of its rearward travel.There is now a pause in the movement of the n-ipper carriage due to thelost motion a before the reverse movement of the carriage takes placeand during this pause the electric switch contact drum has rotated sothat the circuit of the nipper magnet is opened andfiuid under pressureis thus released from the nipper pistons 32. The nipper springs 37 thenoperate the nippers 30 so that the nipper jaws 81 open up and permit thespike blank to drop into the receiving channel of the die 56.

As the nip er magnet is deenergized, the magnet of the toggle closemagnet controlled valve mechanism 79 is energized by the action of therotating switch drum, so that fluid under pressure is supplied to pistonchamber 80 (see Fig. 8) of the toggle controlling piston 70. Theoperation of the piston 70 then closes the toggle joint and thenthemagnet of the magnet controlled valv mechanism 69 is energized, sothat fluid in'ider pressure is supplied to the gripe piston 89. Byreason of the preliminary movement effected by the toggle joint action,only a slight movement of the gripe piston 89 is required to cause thegripe 81 to engage and firmly clamp the spike blank in its position inthe receiving channel of the die 56.

If hand machine heads are being made, the lateral clamping die 82 isemplo 'ied and the piston 86 being then connected to receive fluid mderpressure at the same time that fluid is supplied to the gripe piston 89,the die 82 is operated by the lever 83 to gripe the spike blanklaterally at the same time that the blank is gripped by the operation ofthe gripe 81.

The header carriage 50, being connected to the rocker arms 16 throughthe connection rods 51, moves forward as the nipper carriage 20 movesrearwardly and the parts i in the heading position by the gripe 81. The

heading of the spike takes place at the end of the travel of the headercarriage 50, as

shown in Fig. 6, and then the header carriage starts on its rearwardtravel.

After the heading operation, the contact switch mechanism operates toopen the circuits of the toggle close magnet and the gripe magnet and atthe same time cause the closing of the circuit of the magnet of themagnet controlled valve mechanism 77. Fluid under pressure is thensupplied to th piston chamber 78 and the piston 70 operates throughthearm 73 to open the toggle joint.

lVhen the gripe 81 moves upwardly, the spike blanlc is discharged by theoperation of the ejector rod 160 and the blank drops to an apron 170,whence it is deposited in the usual receptacle provided therefor.

The nipper carriage is now moving forward while another spike blank isbeing fed out by the operation of the feed rolls and the continuedoperation of the machine in the manner above described takes place.

As hereinbbefore described, the stabih izer operates to stabilize themovement of the nipper carriage 20, so that said carriage will not moveof itself or overrun independently of the moving force, as wouldotherwise be possible on account of the lost motion a, and consequentlythe carriage will not assume a position other than the desired position,as determined by the operation of the connecting rod 23.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a spike machine, the combination for operating said valve.

pi'ng .nieclianism .and said movable abutwith a reciprocating carriageand a pair of ripper levers pivotally mounted on said carriage, of. acylinder mounted on said carriage, opposing pistons in said cylinderoperatively connected to said levers, and means for supplying fluidunder pressure to the chamber intermediate said pistons.

2. In a spike machine, the combination with a reciprocating carriage andnippers mounted on said carriage for conveying the spike blank, of acylinder mounted on said carriage, pistons in said cylinder foroperatiug said nippers, and means operated upon forward movement of saidcarriage for supplying fluid under pressure to said pistons and uponrearward movement of said carriage for releasing fluid'from saidpistons.

3. In a spike machine, the combination with a reciprocating carriage andnippers carried by said carriage for conveying the spike blank, of fluidpressure controlled means for operating said nippers, a valvetorcontrolling the fluid pressure for operating said means, andelectrically controlled means l. In a forging machine, the combinationwith a reciprocating carriage and clamping members carried by saidcarriage, or": fluid pressure controlled means for operating saidmembers and means operated upon the forward movement of said carriagefor supplying fluid under pressure to said fluid pressure controlledmeans and upon rearward movement of said carriage for releasing fluidfrom said fluid pressure controlled means. v

5 In a spike machine, the combination with a reciprocating carriage andnippers carr'ed by said carriage, of electro-fluidpressure means forcontrolling the opening and closing of said nippers and an electric"contact device opcratively associated with the spike machine torcontrolling the electric circuit of said clectro-fluid-pre'ssure means.

3. la a spike machine, the combination with a mechanically operatedreciprocating carriage and nippers carried by said carriage tor grippingthe spike blank, 0t fluid pressure controlled means for opening andclosing said nippers, a magnet controlled valve for controlling thefluid pressure on said means, and an electric switch mechanismoperatively associated with the spike machine for opening and closingthe circuit of said magnet.

7. In a spike machine, the combination with a spike blank grippingmechanism and a fluid pressure operated movable abutment for ogeratingsaid gripping mechanism, of a toggle joint interposedbetween saidgripment. and fluid pressure operated means for opening and closing saidtoggle oint.

8. in a spike machine, the combination with a spike blank grippingmechanism and a fluid pressure operated movable abutment for operatingsaid gripping mechanism, of electrically controlled means forcontrolling the fluid pressure on said abutment.

9. In a spike machine, the combination with a spike blank grippingmechanism and afiuid' pressure operated movable abutment for operatingsaid gripping mechanism, oit

electrically controlled means for controlling the fluid pressure on saidabutment, and an electric switch devicev operatively associated with thespike machine for controlling the clrciut of said electricallycontrolled means. 10. In a spike machme, the combination with a spikeblank gripping mechanismm on said movable abutment and on said fluidpressure operated means.

11. In a spike machine, the combination with a spike blank grippingmechanism and p a fluid pressure operated movable abutment for operatingsaid gripping mechanism, of a toggle joint-interposed between saidgripping mechanism and said movable abutment, fluid pressure operatedmeans for opening and closing said toggle joint, electrically controlledmeans for controlling the fluid pressure on said movable abut-ment andon said-fluid pressure operated means, and an electric switch contactmechanism operatively associated with the spike machine for controllingthe electric circuits of said electrically controlled means. r f

12. Ina spike machine, the combination with-a spike blankgrippingmechanism and a fluid pressure operated movable abutment loroperating said gripping mechanism, of

a quick take-up mechanism interposed between said gripping mechanism andsaid abutment for also operating said gripping 'iechanism, means forfirst operat ng said take-up mechanism, and means for then supplyingfluid under pressure to said abutment.

13. In a spike machine, the combination with a vertically movable memberfor engaging the syflke-blank and a fluid pressure operated movableabutment :tor pressing said member into engagement with the spikeblank,o-t' a laterally movable die forengaging the spike blank, avertically disposed lever lltlVlIl" one end ooerativelv connected I a IL to said die, a fluid pressure operated movable abutment operativelyconnected to the other end of said lever, and means for supplying fluidundcr pressure to said movable abutments. I

CJI

14. In a spike machine, the combination with a vertically movable memberfor engaging the spike blank and a fluid pressure operated movableabutn'ient for pressing said member into on; gement with the spikeblank, of a laterally movable die for engagin the spike blank, avertically disposed lever having one end operatively connected to saiddie, a tluic pressure operated movable abutment operatively connected tothe other end of said lever, and means for simultaneously supplyingfluid unccr pressure to said movable abutments.

15. In a spik machine, the combination with a reciprocating carriage,spike blank nippers carried by said carriage, and a gripe mechanism forclamping the spike blank, 0t fluid pressure controlled means for openingand closing said nippers and for operating said gripe mechanism andelectrically controlled means for controlling the fluid pressure on saidfluid pressure controlled means.

16. In a spike machine, the combination with a reciprocatingcarriage,spike blank nippers carried by said carriage, and a gripe mechanism forclamping the spike blank, of fluid pressure controlled means for openingand closing said nippers and for operating said gripe mechanism,electrically controlled means for controlling the fluid pressure on saidfluid pressure controlled means, and an electric switch contact deviceoperatively associated with the spike machine for controlling theelectric circuits of said electr'cally controlled means.

17. In a spike machine, the combination with a nipper i'ncchanism forclan'iping the spike blank and carrying the same rearwardly, means forheading the spike blank in the rearward position, and a gripe mechanismt'or Clllll'lplllg the spike blank in the 1e c w )ositi 1 "luid )rcssurecontrolled l alm 1 t 01, l i'i'ieans for operating said mpper mechanismto clamp the spike blank, fluid pressure con trol ed means for operatingsaid gripe mechanism, valves for controlling the fluid pressure to saidfluid pressure controlled means, magnets for operating said valves, andan electric switch contact device 01erating in timed relation with theoperation of the spike machine for controlling the circuits of saidmagnets.

18. In a spike machine, the combination with food rolls for feeding thespike blank, of a member for guiding the spike blank as it'leaves thefeed rolls, a spring normally pressing said member into engage ment withthe spike blank, and fluid pressure controlled means for shifting saidmember out of engagement with the spike blank.

19. In a spike machine, the combination with teed rolls for lie .'ng thespike blank, of a member for guiding the spike blank as it leaves thefeed rolls, nippers for engaging the spike blank to carry the blankrearu rdly, and fluid pressure controlled means for shifting said memberout of its guiding po sition to permit the nippers to engage blank.

20. In a spike machine, the with teed rolls for feeding the spike blank,of a member for guiding the spike blank as it leaves the feed rolls,nippers tor engaging the spike blank to carry the blank rearwardly,fluid pressure controlled means "for operatin said nippers, fluidpressure controlled means for operating said member to shift same out ofits guiding position, and electrically controlled means on the sameelectric circuit for controlling the fluid pressure on both fluidpressure controlled means.

21. In a spike machine, the combination with teed rolls for feeding thespike blank, ct a men'iber for guiding the spike blank as combination itleaves the feed rolls, fluid pressure controlled means tor shitting saidmember out of its guiding position, electrically controlled means liorcontrolling the fluid pressure on said fluid pressure controlled means,and an electric switch contact mechanism operatively associated with thespike machine tor controllingthe electric circuit of said electricallycontrolled means.

In a spike machine, the combination with a main frame, of a memberpivotally mounted at one end on said frame, a carriage slidably mountedon said member, a header tool carried by said carriage tor heading thespike blank, a screw-threaded rod for supporting the other end of saidmember, and means for operating said rod to raise and lower thecorresponding end of said member.

253. In a spike machine, the combination with a reciprocating carriage,of an operating member for said carriage having a lost motion connectionto the carriage and means for imposing a liquid under pressureresistance to the movement of the carriage.

2i. In a spike machine, the con'ibination with a reciprocating carriage,of an operating member tor said carriage having a lost motion connectionto the carriage, means for imposing a liquid pressure resistance to themovement of the carriage and means for increasing the liquid pressureresistance during the stroke of the carria In a spike machine, thecombination with a reciprocating carriage, of an operating member forsaid carriage having a lost motion connection to the carriage, means forimposing a liquid pressure resistance to the movement oi? the carriageand means for increasing the liquid pressure resistance as the carriageapproachesthe end of its stroke.

26. In a spike machine, the combination with a reciprocating carriageand nippers the carried by said carriage for conveying the spike blank,of a member. for operating said carriage having a lost motion connectionto the carriage and a piston subject to liquid under pressure andconnected to said carriage for opposing movement of the carriage.

27. In a spike machine, the combination with a reciprocating carriage,ot'ea piston subject to liquid under pressure and connected to saidcarriage for, opposing movement of the carriage, a valve for permittingthe escape of liquid from said piston, and means operated by themovement of the piston for increasing the load on the valve.

28. In a spike machine, the combination with a reciprocating carriage,of a piston subject to liquid under pressure and connected to saidcarriage for opposing movement of the carriage, a valve for permittingthe escape of liquid from said piston, a spring acting on said Valve,and means operated by the movement of said piston for compressing thespring.

29. In a spike machine, the combination With a reciprocating carriage,of a piston subject to liquid under pressure and connected to saidcarriage for opposing movement of the carriage, avalve for permittingthe escape of liquid from said Piston, a

spring acting on said valve, and means operated by the movement of thepiston in one direction for compressing the spring and by movement ofthe piston in the opposite direction for relieving the compression ofthe spring.

80. In a spike machine, the combination with a reciprocating carriage,of a piston connected to said carriage and subject on opposite sides toliquid under pressure, a valve for permitting the flow of liquid fromeach side of the piston, and means for increasing the load on one valveas the piston moves in one direction and for increasing the load on theother valve as the piston moves in the opposite direction.

31. In a spike'machine, the combination with a reciprocating carriage,of a piston connected to said carriage and subject on opposite sides toliquid under pressure, a valve for permitting the flow of liquid fromeach side of the piston, a spring for opposing the opening of eachvalve, and means operated by the movement of the piston in one directionfor compressing one spring and upon movement of the piston in theopposite direction for compressing the other spring.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand;

LAURENCE J. BERKELEY.

